“Nope, I hate to break it to you, but you are not the only man in the world who happens to be selective. I’m glad I waited for the right guy, made all the difference in the world.” He reached over and ruffled my hair, and I let him, wishing he was the right… My head snapped in his direction. Jamie’s gay?

Jamie and Justin- High school crushes too afraid to be honest when it mattered most. Now adults, they are free to be open with one another. Is it too late for them to act on their feelings?

This is a romantic short story made for mature adults over the age of 18. It’s sexy, steamy, funny, and filled with those special moments you only experience once in lifetime.

Owning Macho is enough, more than enough to keep me busy. I own the gym with my ex, Thorne. He’s Mr. Popular, and I’m the paper-pushing geek stuck in the office.

The first time I saw Jared, he made me smile. His tenacity and will to succeed touched me, and triggered my internal alarm system.

Every time I’ve given my heart away, it’s been scorched. Falling for a young kid like Jared is out of the question.

His sadness draws me in, and I want to protect him from the agony I see hidden behind his innocent, young eyes.

I’ve known that pain myself, and I’ll do anything to help him, except…
Do I have to give him my heart?
Do I even have a choice?

Macho is a May/December romance between two men, Jared and Creed. It is the first book in the Gay RVA Romance series. It’s a standalone story with a HEA, no cheating, and lots of love. Macho has mature themes that include abuse and homelessness.

This is the second edition of Macho, and it’s being re-released with a bonus short story, Hero. Buy it on Amazon, or read it for free in Kindle Unlimited.

]]>https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/07/14/macho-now-in-kindle-unlimited/feed/0readlukelewisMachoherocover5Brig’s First Kisshttps://cruz-publishing.com/2017/06/08/brigs-first-kiss/
https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/06/08/brigs-first-kiss/#respondThu, 08 Jun 2017 00:30:39 +0000http://cruz-publishing.com/?p=757]]>As I approach publication, I’m getting very excited- the main characters have invaded my brain in a good way. This is Brig’s first kiss.

Gabriel popped out of his chair, and I almost thought he was going to make a run for the door. Keeping his head down, he started for the exit, grabbing my elbow in his hand and pulling me along with him. I pried his fingers off me, turned and snatched my duffel bag off the floor then jogged toward him. His hand found my arm once more, this time his grip was like a vice.

“Young lady, you’ve been through once already.” I heard someone say loudly, knowing they were addressing Jenna. Both of us stopped for a brief second, unable to move, but Gabriel apparently decided he was getting out of there no matter what. His grip on my elbow tightened and seconds later we were outside in the bright sun.

He didn’t let go, his feet pulling us down the sidewalk, almost at a jog. The sidewalks were uneven in places and I almost tripped. An alley opened up on his left side and he pulled me into it, leaned against the concrete wall and started breathing really fast. I leaned against it next to him, my heart pounding with fear, though I wasn’t sure what I was afraid of exactly. Contact fear is the worst; fear derived by someone else’s, unknown and unasked for.

“What just happened?” I whispered between gasps of air. I felt like we’d just run a marathon. Gabriel leaned into me, then I felt his arm on my shoulders. I turned and looked up at him, feeling myself fall under the spell of his hypnotic eyes. We stood there for a minute, just staring at each other, then he leaned down, his lips approaching mine. I’ve never been kissed before, never expected it to happen like this, with someone I’d only just met, who was hiding from a mysterious stranger.

I have fallen in love with Jack and Ethan, the main characters from Enemies of The State, one of the best M/M romance novels I’ve read this year. Seriously, Tal Bauer’s writing is superb, and there is nothing better than action and adventure combined with political intrigue. Oh, well, yes, it does get better, with the President of the United States falling in love with his secret service agent. I bought the book as an escape from my own writing, and it has surpassed my expectations. All of the feels, plus the grittiness of an action movie. I highly recommend it, and if you haven’t read it- add it to your gay fiction library today. You can buy Enemies of The State at Amazon.

]]>https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/06/02/late-to-the-party-as-usual/feed/0readlukelewisEOSWebsiteversionPlaying Doctor On Salehttps://cruz-publishing.com/2017/06/01/playing-doctor-on-sale/
https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/06/01/playing-doctor-on-sale/#respondThu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:34 +0000http://cruz-publishing.com/?p=700]]> The story of two virgin twinks having their first time experience has proven to be a great seller. It was my first attempt at writing gay themed erotica, and despite my initial attempts to keep it light and sexy, it turned romantic, of course. It’s set in my hometown of Richmond VA, and it’s pretty steamy, kinky, and it will make your heart smile too. I’ve been asked if it is based on real life events, and…I’ll continue to give a Mona Lisa smile and say neither yes or no.

Looking back on it, I’m pleased, and it has sold extremely well for a virgin coming out tale, and the reviews are decent too. I’m putting finishing touches on Missionary, which will be released before the end of the month. Until then, enjoy Playing Doctor, Part One for free! If you like it, get the second part, Playing Doctor Heart, and part three, Playing Doctor Fever, available at all websites, or at Enrique Cruz Books.

My hero, Chuck Tingle has written about another current event so swiftly it makes you wonder if he’s in cahoots with CheetoVonTweeto himself. Pounded in The Butt by Covfefe is the latest from this twice nominated Hugo award author. Here’s the descriptions.

Hayden has been working as Domald Tromp’s private bodyguard for years, but now that he’s working for the President of the United States, he’s become privy to more top-secret government meeting than he ever could’ve imagined.

Now at Margo Largo, Tromp’s Florida estate, Hayden finds himself wrapped up in a debate between Tromp and a Russian diplomat regarding a mysterious creature named Covfefe. The fight finally escalates until all three of them take a trip to see Covfefe for themselves, revealing the true nature of this government funded, coffee based lifeform.

What Hayden didn’t count on is just how charming Covfefe would be in person. Soon enough, the bodyguard and this handsome coffee beast find themselves proving love in a hardcore anal pounding that could save the world.

]]>https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/06/01/covfefe-chuck-tingle-strikes-again/feed/0readlukelewisScreen Shot 2017-06-01 at 12.20.41 AM“It’s one thing to have the hots for your boss, another to be a peeping tom.”https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/05/30/its-one-thing-to-have-the-hots-for-your-boss-another-to-be-a-peeping-tom/
https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/05/30/its-one-thing-to-have-the-hots-for-your-boss-another-to-be-a-peeping-tom/#respondTue, 30 May 2017 14:29:36 +0000http://cruz-publishing.com/?p=687]]>

The finish line is in sight. Here is an excerpt from my upcoming novel Missionary.

My hands shook as I attempted to get my key in the door. I’d berated myself on the walk home, the inability to keep my thoughts professional bothering me. I needed this job, and if I ever got caught snooping it would be gone in a heartbeat. It’s one thing to have the hots for your boss, another to be a peeping tom.

I didn’t know what to do with myself, not wanting to give in to urges I shouldn’t be having in the first place. His eyes looked directly into mine whenever I closed them, and I was unable to process what this meant. The fact was, I was unused to these feelings. I’d been a hermit for so long that lust had become an unfamiliar companion, so when it reared it’s three-horned head, I floundered for reasons to actually feel the way I did. I went to the kitchen for a glass of juice, and when I reached up into the cabinet for a glass I found myself grinding my dick into the countertop, my breathing heavy. Shit, I’m humping my kitchen.

Something’s got to give.

I left my glass in the kitchen, went to the bedroom and threw myself on the bed. I ignored my first instinct and grabbed my laptop instead, opening up the novel I was apparently never going to finish, thinking I could pour my frustrations into the manuscript. Maybe intellectual exercise would distract me from the boner that would not die. Memories of Fernando greeting me this morning was fresh in my ears, and my eyes. The black pajama bottoms clinging to him, and the contrast between his olive skin and the tight white fabric of his t-shirt played on repeat, while I worked harder to keep the image of his near naked body swimming laps even further away.

Maybe if I could just get it out of my system, give in to the fantasy just once, I’d be able to be around him without wanting to run my hands through his thick, glossy hair that looked so sexy slicked back and wet. I mean, how could I sit across from him everyday and not think about the treasure trail leading down to the bulge in his black, skimpy shorts that left so little to my already overactive imagination?

Without conscious thought my fingers unzipped my khakis and pulled my length out, squeezing the head, a pearl-sized drop of pre-come gathering at the tip. I groaned, impatient for the satisfaction I needed, wishing it was somebody else, not my hand.

One of the things I do to get in my characters head is to write a biography of them. Usually this is a page or two that gives me a basic overview of their life and emotional well-being, or lack of. While working on my next book Missionary, I did my usual bit, writing out a brief synopsis of my main character Brigham. He’s fascinating to say the least, and easy to love.

What started off as being just a couple of pages turned into a story in itself. I’m already three quarters of the way through Missionary, and Brig’s backstory grew into a separate tale of it’s own. In order to do this complex character justice, I’m releasing it as a short story simultaneously with the publication of Missionary. No publication date has been set, but editing has already begun, and the cover has been made by the amazing Sloan Johnson, so it should be before the end of June.

Oh, one more thing. If you are not aware of this, Sloan just released an amazing five star book that everyone should read. False Start (Wilmington Breakers Book 2) is available now on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited.

]]>https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/05/20/saint-brig-completed-and-sloan-johnson-rocks/feed/0readlukelewisVertical image of man in striped sweaterDeep Point of View; Bonding Readers to Your Story, And an Excerpt From My Latest Work in Progress.https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/05/16/deep-point-of-view-bonding-readers-to-your-story-and-an-excerpt-from-my-latest-work-in-progress/
https://cruz-publishing.com/2017/05/16/deep-point-of-view-bonding-readers-to-your-story-and-an-excerpt-from-my-latest-work-in-progress/#respondTue, 16 May 2017 19:32:11 +0000http://cruz-publishing.com/?p=570]]>I grew up in a household filled with books. My father worked in publishing, nothing glamorous, on the sales end of things, but he constantly brought books home for us. This prompted the dream of actually writing fiction as a way of making a living, so I threw my hat into the publishing ring and wrote gay erotica for awhile, and once I found my footing, I decided to take it a step further.

Macho was my first step. I wrote this novella while my father was in the process of dying, and it ended up being darker than I wanted, but I also felt the writing style was distancing for the reader. This is how I am in real life, and I think it’s an impediment to getting a reader hooked into the story. So how could I overcome my natural inclination for emotional distance?

I looked to authors I loved to read in order to find a solution to this problem, and two came to mind, both very capable writers who really know how to bond readers with their characters.

Mercy Celeste is a successful author of M/M fiction, and I enjoy reading her work because she really gets into the heads of the characters. A great example is Out of The Blues. She totally inhabits the head of Mason, and I want to write in a way that gives readers a similar experience. I’m currently living in a similar small town in Georgia, and I totally understood what Mason was going through. I usually live up north, and being here is a bit of a culture shock.

After my father passed away, I read a book by Seth King called Straight.I fell in love with this book because of the writing style, and the way he stripped the author voice out of the narrative. I realized, if I want that emotional intimacy to take place between the reader and the book, deep pov was the way to go, at least for my next book.

For those who don’t read gay fiction, think of Katniss in The Hunger Gamesby Suzanne Collins. The entire story is told in first person from her perspective, in a style that is now called Deep Point of View.

Deep POV

Writing in deep point of view requires the writer to take themselves out of the story, and allow the characters to completely speak on their own. Here is an example from my latest work in progress, Saints of Liberty Park.

“You’re a man now, an imperfect man who has no place here. Pack your bags and get out.” Dad’s forehead wrinkled and his eyes narrowed. I was caught off guard, unable to comprehend what he was talking about.

“Dad, I’m sorry, I don’t understand? What have I done? I…”

“There is nothing else for you to say. You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. It is written in Leviticus, and we follow God’s law in this house.” His left fist punched his right palm as he said this; otherwise there was no change in his facial expression. Dad’s voice was monotone, which meant extreme anger. The more he controlled his emotions, the more I had to fear. I backed away, only to run into the wall behind me. Startled, I hit my head, and his voice continued to strike out.

“You have all you require to make it on your own. I have been lenient, allowing you to stay through graduation. You shall leave here at once. Get your belongings and get out of my house. You are no longer welcome.” He sneered, the only emotion he allowed on his otherwise blank face. I stared into his hard, green eyes, trying to fathom what I was hearing. For a moment, I thought I saw something, a glimmer of hope perhaps?

His eyes dropped from my gaze, his feet turned and he stalked out of the room as ominously as he’d entered it.

Essentially I have done my best to strip my voice from the narrative- it’s all about the protagonist, what he sees, hears, and feels. My intention is to place readers in the mind of Brigham, the main character, to feel his fear and disappointment.

Before I arrived at the place where I wanted to write in this style, I was a staunch supporter of keeping an emotional distance between the reader and the characters on the page. Why? Because I naturally do that. I love boundaries, and think they are there for a reason.

Now that I see the finiteness of life, maybe it’s time to shed some of these boundaries, and experience things on a more visceral level. Fuck distance, let’s experience things first hand, real experiences, even if they are just fiction.